Event to salute Vietnam-era veterans from Maryland

LZ Maryland set for this weekend at Maryland State Fairgrounds

In the air it made one of the most recognizable sounds of the Vietnam War, and as it sits in the rain at Maryland State Fairgrounds, a Vietnam-era Huey will surely bring back memories during an event this weekend in Timonium

A big event this Father's Day weekend at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium will draw thousands from all over the state to honor the region's Vietnam War veterans.

LZ Maryland, which stands for landing zone, is part of a multi-year project by Maryland Public Television to tell stories about the war through the heroes who served.

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In the air, it made one of the most recognizable sounds of the war, and as it sits in the rain at fairgrounds, a Vietnam era Huey will surely bring back memories.

"They had a beer over there called Beer 33," said Fred Shinbur, MPT Salutes Vietnam Veterans project coordinator, who spent 36 years in the Army. "We even have that on site just to bring back that memory."

At LZ Maryland, a 250-foot traveling replica of the D.C. Memorial Wall will be there, along with a tour of duty map half the size of a football field.

"It's made so that people can walk on it," MPT Director of Communications Tom Williams said. "We'll be giving them sharpies so that veterans, family and friends can write messages and notations to honor those who served."

The two-day event is part of MPT Salutes Vietnam Veterans. A three-part documentary aired in May with stories about the war told from regional veterans like Shinbur. Shinbur said talking has helped veterans heal and he hopes LZ Maryland will be liberating.

"It really helped them open up and share stories, experiences thoughts that they had never shared with the love of their life, their family," Shinbur said. "We were not accepted as warriors for years. Many vets are finally saying, 'Hey I'm darn proud.'"

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.